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A map showing the Air France flight changing course over the Red Sea (Image: AirNavRadarBox)
A major airline has suspended flights over the Red Sea after the crew of an aircraft saw a "luminous object at high altitude" as the plane passed near Sudan.
Flight tracking data shows Air France flight 934 from Paris to Madagascar declared an emergency today (Sunday) "due to a technical issue" and returned to Paris after changing course over the Red Sea.
According to flight data site AirLive Air France "confirms that, as a precautionary measure, it has decided to suspend overflight of the Red Sea area until further notice.
"This decision follows the suspicion of a crew observing a luminous object at high altitude in the Sudan area."
Madagascan politician Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko was on board the aircraft which turned around. He posted a status on Facebook saying a "missile" had missed a flight ahead of his.
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He said: "The news about the Air France flight is correct, because I am on the flight. A Missile passed by a plane in front of us but it wasn't shot , that's the reason for returning to France.
"There was a missile plane in the air of Sudan today."
The Boeing Boeing 777-200ER departed from runway 08L at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris at 10.44am today (Sunday) but returned seven hours later after being diverted away from the Red Sea.
In a statement on X Air France said: "As a precautionary measure, Air France has decided to suspend flights over the Red Sea area until further notice. As a result, the itinerary of some of its flights has been modified.
"Depending on their location, some aircraft may have turned around and returned to land at their departure airport, such as flight AF934 from Paris to Antananarivo.
"This decision follows the suspicion of observation by a crew of a luminous object at high altitude in the Sudan area.
"Air France reminds that the safety of its customers and crews is its absolute imperative. The company constantly monitors the evolution of the geopolitical situation of the territories served and overflown by its aircraft in order to ensure the highest level of safety and security of flights."
In October a plane spotted missiles being fired from Iran (pictured) (Image: X)
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Flying over the Middle East has become increasingly dangerous for airlines with missiles being launched towards Israel by Iran and from Houthi Rebels in Yemen.
Sudan too has experienced violent unrest and war in recent months, all of which increases the chances of military ordnance or missiles potentially striking a civilian aircraft.
In October passengers on a commercial aircraft heading over Iran filmed the moment a stream of missiles were launched with no warning given to pilots in the area.
Shocking footage showed the afterburners of rockets zipping through the sky as a plane packed with civilians passed over the city of Shiraz.
The missiles were part of a barrage of around 180 projectives launched by the Iranians against Israel.
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